I was found today in the middle of the yard holding onto a piece of grass for dear life. Help tell me what I am so I can eat the "Real stuff"?
P.S. I am in Port St Lucie, Florida
Thanks,
"Unknown identity"
This message was edited Mar 11, 2006 3:37 PM
Another picture of me
I don't know what it is, but I found this cool caterpillar page while searching
http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/plates.htm
How big is this caterpillar? If it is small...under 1" it might be some sort of patch or checkerspot. If it's bigger possibly a brushfoot like a buckeye, lady or admiral. Fritillaries also have branched spines.
~ Cat
This message was edited Mar 12, 2006 10:20 AM
Thanks Calalily..that is a great site but stil don;t see it really. Hard to tell as aren't real pictures
Cat...the caterpillar is just about 1" and hopefully ready to cocoon as I really can;t figure out what it needs to eat. the grass found it on I gave it but it is not eating. also tried other butterfly host leaves and that doesn't seem to be doing the trick either. You are right, it does look like the buckeye. Holey and the food it eats... I have nowhere around so who knows what I can feed it?!
If it's a buckeye - they will also eat snapdragons, monkey flowers, plantains and speedwells.
I've seen buckeyes in my yard and planted snapdragon vine (maurandya antirrhiniflora) in the hopes of them using it as a larval host - so far no takers :o(
If you get a chance check out this posting about the buckeye and compare the caterpillar. There are a couple of different photos of the buckeye butterfly as well as a caterpillar and chrysalides on there.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/444667/thread/1128816219/last-1129470873/Buckeye
~ Cat
This message was edited Mar 13, 2006 4:57 PM
